camp
gb/kˈæmp/ us/kˈæmp/
A2
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
temporary outdoor living area
A place where people sleep in tents or simple houses for a short time.
Usage pattern:
to stay at [a camp]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'camp' (the place) with 'camping' (the activity).
Synonyms
campsite (Refers more specifically to an individual spot where one can set up a tent or park a camper.)
Antonyms
permanent settlement (Opposite in being a fixed, long-term living place rather than temporary.)
Collocations
summer camp
|camp site
|camp ground
|set up camp
|camp facilities
Themes
travel
|outdoors
|recreation
|daily_life
Examples
- We spent the weekend at a camp near the lake.
- The soldiers returned to camp after the day's training.
- They run a children's camp every summer.
Learner examples
- We slept at a camp near the river.
- The camp has many small tents.
- We go to camp every July.
Verb
A2
action
2
stay in temporary outdoor shelter
To sleep outside in a tent or simple shelter for fun or travel.
Usage pattern:
to camp [somewhere]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'camp' as a verb with 'pitch a tent', which is a specific part of camping.
Synonyms
stay outdoors (Broad term that may not involve tents or organized camping.)
Antonyms
stay indoors (Opposite in being inside a building rather than outdoors.)
Collocations
camp overnight
|camp out
|camp in the mountains
Themes
travel
|outdoors
|daily_life
Examples
- We plan to camp by the river this weekend.
- They camped in the forest for three nights.
- We often camp in national parks.
Learner examples
- We camp near the beach.
- They camp in the forest.
- We will camp here tonight.
Noun
B2
entity
3
group with shared beliefs/interests
A group of people who believe the same things or want the same goals.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in [a camp]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the physical place meaning of 'camp'. Context usually clarifies it.
Synonyms
faction (Often used for smaller, organized groups within larger organizations.)
Antonyms
opposition (Refers to those with opposing views or goals.)
Collocations
political camp
|rival camps
|opposing camp
Themes
politics
|society
|relationships
Examples
- The issue divided the party into two camps.
- She belongs to the environmentalist camp.
- Both camps agreed to hold talks.
Learner examples
- The group split into two camps.
- He is in the green camp.
- The camps do not agree.
Noun
informal
C1
property
4
exaggerated theatrical style
A way of acting or showing style that is very big, colorful, and sometimes funny on purpose.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'camp' here means camping outdoors; this is unrelated slang/arts usage.
Synonyms
kitsch (Refers to art or design considered poor taste but appreciated ironically; overlaps but not identical.)
Antonyms
understated style (Opposite in being subtle and restrained rather than exaggerated.)
Collocations
camp aesthetic
|full of camp
|camp performance
Themes
arts
|fashion
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The movie is full of camp and over-the-top costumes.
- Her performance was pure camp from start to finish.
- He loves the camp style of old musicals.
Learner examples
- The show was full of camp.
- His clothes have a camp style.
- The movie was camp and funny.
Grammar
Dictionary form
camp
IPA
GB/kˈæmp/
US/kˈæmp/
Syllables & stress
camp (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (camp)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: camp
- Plural: camp, camps
Verb
- Base: camp
- 3rd Person Singular: camps
- Present Participle: camping
- Past: camped
Word family
Forms
camps
noun
camping
verb
camped
verb
Core family
camper
noun
campsite
noun B1
Related words
campground
noun
campfire
noun
Advanced or less common
encamp
verb
encampment
noun B2
Expressions
break camp
1/bɹˈeɪk kˈæmp/
fixed phrase
leave temporary outdoor shelter
To take down tents and things and leave the place where you were staying outside.
Examples
- We broke camp early in the morning to avoid the heat.
- The soldiers broke camp and moved east.
camp out
1/kˈæmp ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
sleep outdoors in tent/shelter
To sleep outside in a tent or other simple shelter.
Examples
- We decided to camp out under the stars.
- Protesters are camping out in front of city hall.
happy camper
1/hˈæpi kˈæmpɚ/
idiom
informal
person satisfied with situation (often negative)
Someone who is pleased with what is happening (often used to say someone is not pleased).
Examples
- After missing the bus, she was not a happy camper.
- Give him some food and he'll be a happy camper.
in someone's camp
1/ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz kˈæmp/
idiom
support someone's side/position
To agree with someone and be on their side.
Examples
- Don't worry—I'm in your camp on this issue.
- Most of the team is in her camp.
set up camp
1/sˈɛt ˈʌp kˈæmp/
fixed phrase
prepare temporary outdoor shelter
To make a place ready to live in for a short time outside.
Examples
- We set up camp before it got dark.
- They set up camp by the river for the night.